5 ways The School & Family Works facilitates lasting change

The School & Family Works is a change forum. We're after LASTING change and we recognise that, to enable significant shifts, we have to start where people are and be prepared for a long journey. The key characteristic of all our work is that it enhances the reflective capacity of all those involved. It is through this reflective capacity that change takes place.

So, what are the five ways that we enable lasting change for schools and families?

1. We start where people are, and work at their pace

Our Family Groups offer parents and young people the chance to be supported through a process of change, which they drive themselves, at a pace they can handle. People stay in Family Group for as long as they need to stay.

2. We enable people to feel safe

We may need to demonstrate trustworthiness, reliability, honesty, compassion and respect for a considerable time before people are prepared to engage in a relationship with us. There is always a readiness for attachment when offered in sufficient safety.

3. We provide space for individuals to discover and explore other ways of being

Change is difficult, but if you keep on doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep on getting what you’ve always got! Playfulness and stimulation encourage exploration and experimentation. We’re gently loosening fixed patterns, helping everyone become more malleable and adaptable.

4. We facilitate the sharing of experiences, ideas and solutions between families and professionals.

Everyone learns in Family Group. All voices are valued. We each use our experience and skills in the service of everyone in the group. There are moments of great insight, which ripple out into the school and the community.

5. We have a relational approach, and respect, trust, equality and commitment are hallmarks all those who have worked with us will validate.

Change happens within relationships. We’re conscious of how the relationship offers a framework for growth. We want people to feel truly received. Our approach seeks to offer an increased trust in validity of ones own experience, the development of hope, and space to re-connect, assimilate and reconsolidate.

We are pleased to report that an independent evaluation of Family Group concluded that 8 out of 10 families evidence significant positive change from attending Family Group.